Page 11 - MyFaith Mag October 2016 Web
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I can tell you from experience that it’s so much better to take care of     Psalm 34:14 tells us to “seek peace and pursue it” (NIV). I’ve learned
a problem when it’s little. It’s good to address it as quickly as possible  over the years (many times the hard way) just how valuable God’s
before it has an opportunity to take root and turn into something           supernatural peace really is. Now, I absolutely refuse to live without
more serious.                                                               it! It is so much greater than living with the toxic results of holding
                                                                            unforgiveness in my heart.
I’ve learned that the quicker I can forgive somebody, the easier it’s go-
ing to be. Sometimes this means being the first one to apologize and        Opportunities to be offended will never go away, but we can grow
make peace—even if it’s not my fault!                                       wise to the enemy’s tactics and learn how to respond in a godly way.

However, the more we do the right thing, the easier it gets. The            So, the next time you are tempted to be offended, don’t take the bait!
quicker I forgive others and get rid of any offense, the more peace         Always remember that you have a choice. You can choose to be angry
I have in my life. After a while, you realize that staying offended         and bitter...or you can decide to forgive, believe the best of others,
doesn’t change other people or solve your problems—it only makes            and enjoy God’s supernatural peace.
you bitter and angry.

I often say that staying mad at someone who has hurt you is like            For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-CD series, Understanding Your
taking poison and hoping your enemy will die. You don’t hurt them at        Triggers & Avoiding the Trap of Offense.
all—you only hurt yourself!
                                                                            Visit www.joycemeyer.org.
There were times when I would get upset with my husband, Dave,
and let it ruin my entire day. I was determined to make him pay. If he      Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce
was in the family room watching television, I would purposely not go        Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 100 books, including
in there, refusing to talk to him.                                          Battlefield of the Mind and Overload: How to Unplug, Unwind and Unleash
                                                                            Yourself from the Pressure of Stress (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying
The problem was Dave didn’t care. He would sit and watch sports and         Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations
have a good time while I thought I was really “getting him back.” He        worldwide.
probably thought, Good, I can get some quiet for a change!

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